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This article is from The Star Online

URL:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/8/9/nation/8329842 & sec=nation

 

________________________

 

Monday August 9, 2004

Sea cucumber over harvested

BY TEOH TEIK HOONG

 

LUMUT: Unregulated harvesting of sea cucumber and the destruction of its habitat

are contributing to its dwindling numbers in Malaysian waters, an academician

said.

 

Known as hoisam by the Chinese and gamat by the Malays, the sea cucumber is a

much sought-after commodity, either as a delicacy or for its therapeutic

qualities.

 

According to International Islamic University Malaysia's Assoc Prof Dr Ridzwan

Hashim, the harvesting of sea cucumber is carried out throughout the year.

 

 

 

“Harvesting of sea cucumber is done even during its breeding season which is

normally between April to June and August to October.

 

“The sea cucumber does not even have time to replenish its population,” said Dr

Ridzwan, who is the local authority on sea cucumber.

 

The sea cucumber, also known in Sabah as bat, balat or trepang, is used in

traditional treatment.

 

Dr Ridzwan said the only “reprieve” the animal had was during the monsoon

season as the seas were too choppy for fishermen to go out to harvest them.

 

Earlier this year, Fisheries Department research officer Zaidnuddin Ilias had

said the population of sea cucumber in Langkawi had dropped mainly due to

over-harvesting and pollution.

 

Zaidnuddin said that because of the low population of sea cucumber in Langkawi,

locals had resorted to importing their supplies from Thailand.

 

Dr Ridzwan said another factor affecting the animal's population was the

destruction of corals that act as shelter and feeding ground for most species of

sea cucumber.

 

“Sea cucumbers live in areas where sunlight can reach the corals, especially

where stag horn corals are found. They feed on the plankton and algae around

these corals.

 

 

 

“Unfortunately, in the search for sea cucumbers, many people turn over and

destroy corals,” he said.

 

The sea cucumber is harvested for two purposes & #8211; water extracts (coelomic

fluid) or lipid extract (taken from the animal's body wall), according to Dr

Ridzwan.

 

He said only the mature animals should be removed to extract the fluid, which

is done by making an incision on its ventral side and letting the fluid out.

 

“After this, the sea cucumber can be placed back into the sea for them to heal

themselves. By doing so, we will have a sustainable supply of sea cucumber,” he

said.

 

Dr Ridzwan said the gamat's fluid and the oil contain different bioactive

ingredients, minerals, proteins and other things that many users claim have been

good for their health.

 

<p>

 

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